Israeli Security Forces Pursue Attackers After Shooting Near West Bank Settlement

Two Israeli civilians were critically wounded in a shooting attack near the West Bank settlement of Givat Gilad on Friday. The victims, who were hiking near the village of Tal, were evacuated by helicopter to the emergency department at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. One victim is in critical condition, with medical staff fighting to save his life, while the other is seriously injured.

According to initial reports, the incident began when a group of Israeli hikers encountered a group of Arab assailants near a mosque in Tal, leading to a violent confrontation. The security coordinator of Givat Gilad was dispatched to the scene. The attackers reportedly stole the weapon of a security guard who arrived and opened fire on the civilians.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by deploying forces to the area, imposing a siege on the city of Nablus (Shechem) and the village of Tal, and conducting a manhunt for the perpetrators. The IDF stated that additional troops are carrying out blockades and searches in the region.

Political figures reacted strongly to the attack. Knesset Deputy Speaker Limor Son Har-Melech criticized the military leadership, accusing Central Command Chief Avi Blot and Judea and Samaria Division Commander Kobi Heller of failing to protect residents, warning of further violence. She claimed that recent military hesitancy has emboldened terrorists.

Likud member and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sent condolences to the victim’s family and called for a harsh military response, emphasizing the importance of supporting settlers as Israel’s frontline defense against terrorism. He demanded the IDF act decisively against the attackers’ village and surroundings.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions and violence in the West Bank amid heightened security concerns and political disputes over military policy in the area.